Basic Info

Serotype prediction based on their surface antigens, such as O, H, and K antigens.

More Details

The serotype represents the genetic markers displayed by proteins in blood plasma. Due to the genetic polymorphism of some serum proteins, phenotypic differences arise among individuals. Therefore, serotyping has become an important classification method, especially for many foodborne microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. This method is also widely used in epidemiological investigations. By determining the serotype of bacteria, we can provide a solid basis for antimicrobial therapy. Specifically, through in-depth analysis of the characteristics of bacterial somatic cells, such as the O antigen, cell surface proteins, H antigen, and K antigen, we can accurately classify bacteria based on their serotypes. 

What's New

Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis (Y. pseudotuberculosis) O antigens are synthesised by the Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway, and genes for synthesis of these structures are clustered between conserved hemH and gsk genes. The O-serotyping scheme for Y. pseudotuberculosis was formally established in 1971, and now has a total of 21 serotypes, including 6 originally classified as subtypes of either O:1, O:2, O:4 or O:5. However, while these subtypes are now treated as types following the convention set for S. enterica in which variation in the main gene clusters is used to define types, the use of names such as O:1a, O:2b, etc. has been retained for historical reasons. Interestingly, genes specific to many of the Y. pseudotuberculosis O-antigen serotypes were identified in other species in the Y. pseudotuberculosis complex, which led to the proposal that the O-antigen serotyping scheme should apply to all members of this complex.

Additional Information

NA

Literature

Kenyon JJ, Cunneen MM, Reeves PR. Genetics and evolution of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O-specific polysaccharides: a novel pattern of O-antigen diversity. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2017;41(2):200-217. doi:10.1093/femsre/fux002

Tsubokura M, Aleksic S, Fukushima H, et al. Characterization of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serogroups O9, O10 and O11; subdivision of O1 serogroup into O1a, O1b, and O1c subgroups. Zentralbl Bakteriol. 1993;278(4):500-509. doi:10.1016/s0934-8840(11)80820-0

Tsubokura M, Aleksić S. A simplified antigenic scheme for serotyping of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis: phenotypic characterization of reference strains and preparation of O and H factor sera. Contrib Microbiol Immunol. 1995;13:99-105.